Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
FOR BEGINNERS
How many uses of computers can you think of? They proliferate our everyday
lives and permeate almost all aspects of society in the United States. They are
used for work, entertainment, medicine, traffic enforcement, stock exchanges,
education, navigation, sports, banking...ad infinitum.
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computer.howstuffworks.com
processors and chips can be found at
and at the
An input device is a device which provides the computer with data, which it
then uses to process and give out information. Input can be auditory
(microphone), visual (scanners, smart card readers), and tactile (pressure
sensitive pens, touch pads, touch screens, keyboard, mouse, trackball).
mouse keyboard & trackball
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Audio input is any data entered into the computer via sounds. Sounds can be entered into a computer via a
microphone or other devices such as electrical piano keyboards and digital music devices. These devices connect to the
computer via the sound card or special MIDI card. They allow you to change the speed of sounds, add sounds, and rearrange
sounds as well.
One of today's common video input devices is the digital camera and digital VHS recorder. Images instead of being stored on
regular film are stored in the camera's PC card ( memory card ), floppy disk, flash card, memory stick, CD (a mini) or microdrive.
The more expensive the camera, the more storage. Images can be seen and edited while still in the camera or downloaded to a
computer for work in PhotoShop, for example. Cameras can be attached to computers by means of USB or serial ports or even
the parallel port which use special reading devices.
Digital Camera
An output device is a device which the computer uses to "put out" or display
information whether it be visual (a printer, monitor, or plotter), auditory
(speakers), or even tactile (pagers or beepers which vibrate). It is possible
that taste and smells may come from computers in the future.
Monitor Printer
Speakers
Pager
Plotter
Two commonly used audio output devices are speakers and headsets. Most
personal computers have an internal speaker that outputs low-quality sound.
Many users add high-quality stereo speakers or purchase personal
computers with larger speakers built into the sides of the monitor. A woofer
can be added to boost low bass sounds. A headset plugged into a port on the
sound card or a speaker allows only the user to hear sound from the
computer.
Another device, called a modem, also serves to both input and output data. A
modem is a communication device allowing data and information to travel
along telephone lines, across special lines called DSL lines, across cable lines
and even through the air (known as wireless) to other computers and devices.
Modems can be found inside the system unit or outside connected to a port on
the system unit. Wireless modems are not physically connected at all.
aviar®
Internal Hard Drive
True/False
Indicate whether the sentence or statement is true or false.
1.
A monitor, which looks like a television, produces text and graphics on a physical medium
such as paper or transparency film.
2.
Two main components of the motherboard are the central processing unit and memory.
3.
Storage differs from memory in that it holds items only temporarily while the processor
interprets and executes them.
4.
A hard disk provides much less storage capacity than a floppy disk.
5.
A variation of the standard CD-ROM is the rewriteable CD, or CD-RW.
6.
The operating system contains instructions that allow application software to be run.
Multiple Choice
Identify the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
7.
Computer hardware includes all of the following except __________.
a. input and output devices c. storage and communications
devices
b. a system unit d. application programs
8.
All of the following are commonly used output devices except __________.
a. a keyboard c. a monitor
b. a printer d. speakers
9.
The circuitry in the system unit usually is part of or is connected to a circuit board called the
__________.
a. billboard c. motherboard
b. soundboard d. snowboard
10.
A(n) __________ is an electronic device that contains many microscopic pathways that carry
electrical current.
a. icon c. kiosk
b. pointer d. chip
11.
__________ holds data, instructions, and information for future use.
a. Storage c. Input
b. Memory d. Output
12.
A modem is a(n) __________.
a. small, handheld input device that contains at least one button
b. communications device that enables computers to communicate via
telephone lines
c. storage device that stores data using microscopic pits created by laser
light
d. output device that looks like a television screen and displays text or
graphics
13.
On a personal computer, all of the processor’s functions typically reside on a single chip,
often called a __________.
a. megaprocessor c. maxiprocessor
b. miniprocessor d. microprocessor
Completion
Complete each sentence or statement.
14.
_________________________ is the electric, electronic, and mechanical equipment that
makes up a computer.
15.
_________________________ is the series of instructions that tells the computer hardware
how to perform tasks.
16.
_________________________ is any data or instructions entered into a computer.
17.
_________________________ is data that a computer has processed into information.
18.
A(n) _________________________, such as the scanner, keyboard, microphone, mouse, PC
camera, and digital camera in the accompanying figure, is any hardware component that
allows a user to enter data and instructions into a computer.
19.
In the accompanying figure, the _________________________ is a box-like case made from
metal or plastic that protects the internal electronic components of the computer from
damage.
20.
The _________________________ is the electronic device that interprets and carries out the
basic instructions that operate a computer.
21.
_________________________ is a temporary holding place for data and instructions.
22.
A computer _________________________, or carries out, the instructions in a program by
first placing, or loading, the instructions into the memory of the computer.
23.
Power users typically work with _________________________, in which they combine text,
graphics, sound, video, and other media elements into one application.
True/False
Indicate whether the sentence or statement is true or false.
F
1.
A monitor, which looks like a television, produces text and graphics on a physical medium
such as paper or transparency film.
ANSWER: F
T
2.
Two main components of the motherboard are the central processing unit and memory.
ANSWER: T
F
3.
Storage differs from memory in that it holds items only temporarily while the processor
interprets and executes them.
ANSWER: F
F
4.
A hard disk provides much less storage capacity than a floppy disk.
ANSWER: F
T
5.
A variation of the standard CD-ROM is the rewriteable CD, or CD-RW.
ANSWER: T
T
6.
The operating system contains instructions that allow application software to be run.
ANSWER: T
Multiple Choice
Identify the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
D
7.
Computer hardware includes all of the following except __________.
a. input and output devices c. storage and communications
devices
b. a system unit d. application programs
ANSWER: D
A
8.
All of the following are commonly used output devices except __________.
a. a keyboard c. a monitor
b. a printer d. speakers
ANSWER: A
C
9.
The circuitry in the system unit usually is part of or is connected to a circuit board called the
__________.
a. billboard c. motherboard
b. soundboard d. snowboard
ANSWER: C
D
10.
A(n) __________ is an electronic device that contains many microscopic pathways that carry
electrical current.
a. icon c. kiosk
b. pointer d. chip
ANSWER: D
A
11.
__________ holds data, instructions, and information for future use.
a. Storage c. Input
b. Memory d. Output
ANSWER: A
B
12.
A modem is a(n) __________.
a. small, handheld input device that contains at least one button
b. communications device that enables computers to communicate via
telephone lines
c. storage device that stores data using microscopic pits created by laser
light
d. output device that looks like a television screen and displays text or
graphics
ANSWER: B
D
13.
On a personal computer, all of the processor’s functions typically reside on a single chip,
often called a __________.
a. megaprocessor c. maxiprocessor
b. miniprocessor d. microprocessor
ANSWER: D
Completion
Complete each sentence or statement.
14.
_________________________ is the electric, electronic, and mechanical equipment that
makes up a computer.
RESPONSE: Hardware
ANSWER: Hardware
15.
_________________________ is the series of instructions that tells the computer hardware
how to perform tasks.
RESPONSE: Software
ANSWER: Software
16.
_________________________ is any data or instructions entered into a computer.
RESPONSE: input
ANSWER: Input
17.
_________________________ is data that a computer has processed into information.
RESPONSE: output
ANSWER: Output
18.
A(n) _________________________, such as the scanner, keyboard, microphone, mouse, PC
camera, and digital camera in the accompanying figure, is any hardware component that
allows a user to enter data and instructions into a computer.
19.
In the accompanying figure, the _________________________ is a box-like case made from
metal or plastic that protects the internal electronic components of the computer from
damage.
20.
The _________________________ is the electronic device that interprets and carries out the
basic instructions that operate a computer.
RESPONSE: RAM
ANSWER: Memory
22.
A computer _________________________, or carries out, the instructions in a program by
first placing, or loading, the instructions into the memory of the computer.
RESPONSE:
ANSWER: executes
23.
Power users typically work with _________________________, in which they combine text,
graphics, sound, video, and other media elements into one application.
RESPONSE: Multimedia
ANSWER: multimedia
What is a Computer?
Computers are not very intelligent devices, but they handle instructions flawlessly and fast.
They must follow explicit directions from both the user and computer programmer.
Computers are really nothing more than a very powerful calculator with some great
accessories. Applications like word processing and games are just a very complex math
problem.
If you use a player piano as an analogy, the piano can be thought of as the hardware and the
roll of music as the software.
The software a series of very simple computer instructions carefully organized to complete
complex tasks. These instructions are written in programming languages (like BASIC,
PASCAL, C...) to help simplify the development of applications.
The hardware is what sits on your desk and executes the software instructions. The player
piano is useless unless the roll of music has been written correctly.
Hardware Components
- A keyboard and mouse are the standard way to interact with the computer. Other devices
include joysticks and game pads used primarly for games.
- The monitor (the screen) is how the computer sends information back to you, whether it be
surfing the web or writing a memo. A printer is also an output device.
- Hard disk drives are an internal, higher capacity drive which also stores the operating
system which runs when you power on the computer.
- "Floppy" disk drives allow you to save work on small disks and take the data with you.
- PCs primarily use microprocessors (sometimes called the chip) manufactured by Intel. The
older Intel versions include the 386, 486 and now the Pentium line.
- Macintoshes use PowerPC processors by Motorola.
- Megahertz (MHz) is the internal processor speed in which computer instructions are
performed. The MHz speed does not always indicate the power of the microprocessor. Newer
processors can execute more instructions at the same or slower MHz. For example, an Intel
486 @100MHz is less powerful than a Pentium @75 MHz (but the MHz is "faster").
Hardware Accessories
Modems
- Modems allow you to communicate with other computers using a phone line. Modem
speeds are in bits per second (14.4, 28.8 and 56 thousand bits per second are standard).
CD-ROM Drives
- A CD-ROM drive is a high capacity storage device which lets you read data from the disk,
but not write data back. The speed of the drive (how fast the CD platter spins) is measured in
multiples from the first generation drives. New drives are up to 24X (or 24 times the first
drives), but while the CD spins faster, it is not really 24 times faster in actual output.
Printers
- There are different types of printers (laser, ink jet, dot matrix) with differing quality of
output. They are measured in dpi (dots per inch) and ppm (pages per minute), the higher the
better.
Scanners
- Scanners "digitize" printed material (like photos and graphics) and save it to a graphic file
format (like .GIF or .JPG) for display on the computer.
Operating system software provides a "user interface" for users to manage files, start
programs, customize computer settings, and other tasks. The operating system also provides
the fundamental core computer functionality for programmers.
Intel based PCs use Microsoft Windows version 3.1 (older) or Windows 95 as the operating
system. Macintoshes use the Macintosh operating system.
Software Applications
Application software uses the operating system software and provides the real functionality
of a computer. Applications include:
- Word Processing (MS Word, WordPerfect, Ami...)
- Spreadsheets (Lotus 123, MS Excel...)
- Database (DBase, Fox Pro, Oracle...)
- Presentation (MS PowerPoint, Persuasion.. .)
- Internet Browsers (Netscape Navigator, MS Internet Explorer)
- Games